The cricketing world isn’t any stranger to the vocal opinions of former Indian batter turned commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar. Nonetheless, the newest chapter in his long-standing historical past of critiquing Virat Kohli has hit a private nerve. Following the opening match of the India vs New Zealand ODI sequence in January 2026, a social media storm erupted—not simply due to the motion on the sector, however because of a pointy rebuttal from Virat’s brother, Vikas Kohli.
The stress stems from Manjrekar’s current feedback questioning Virat’s resolution to retire from Check cricket in 2025 whereas persevering with to play the 50-over format. Manjrekar went so far as labeling ODIs the simplest format for top-order batters, suggesting that Kohli walked away from the challenges of the red-ball recreation somewhat than fixing his technical flaws.
Vikas, who has typically acted as a defend for his brother towards on-line vitriol, didn’t maintain again this time. Taking to social media shortly after the first ODI in Vadodara, Vikas shared a cryptic but pointed message to Manjrekar’s critique.
“Such a straightforward format isn’t it… somebody gave his gyaan few days again… simpler stated than finished,” Vikas wrote on social media. In a separate publish that went viral few days earlier, he added, “Looks as if logon ki daal roti nahi chalti bina Virat Kohli ka naam liye hue” (It looks as if individuals can’t earn their bread and butter with out mentioning Virat Kohli).
Whereas Vikas avoided naming Manjrekar instantly, the timing was unmistakable. Manjrekar had lately doubled down on his stance, arguing that top-order batters in ODIs face no slips or gully and primarily queue as much as bat within the high three due to how simple it’s to attain. Vikas’ retort served as a reminder that performing underneath the load of a billion expectations is rarely simple, whatever the format.
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Virat Kohli’s masterclass run in ODIs silences critics
Whereas the confrontation intensified off the sector, Virat responded in the best way he is aware of finest—by dominating the 22 yards. Within the first ODI towards New Zealand, Kohli performed a masterful knock of 93 off 91 balls, anchoring a tense 301-run chase. Although he narrowly missed out on his eighty fifth worldwide century, his efficiency was a tactical clinic in middle-overs accumulation and strike rotation.
This innings wasn’t an remoted occasion however a continuation of a large purple patch for the veteran. Kohli entered the New Zealand sequence on the again of a stellar home run within the Vijay Hazare Trophy and a dominant exhibiting towards South Africa. Throughout his 93-run keep on the crease in Vadodara, Virat achieved two monumental milestones:
- 28,000 worldwide runs: He grew to become the quickest participant to achieve this landmark, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar by 20 innings.
- Historic climb: He moved previous Kumar Sangakkara to turn out to be the second-highest run-scorer within the historical past of worldwide cricket, now trailing solely Tendulkar.
Removed from discovering the format simple, Kohli’s current kind suggests a participant who has advanced his recreation to keep up a strike fee above 100 whereas remaining the crew’s most dependable anchor. Because the sequence strikes ahead, the King appears intent on proving that whereas commentators could discuss, class is everlasting.
Additionally READ: Followers go berserk as Virat Kohli and Harshit Rana energy India to thrilling ODI win over New Zealand in Vadodara
